people who behave as if they know it all are usually the people who know the least and who fear that they have the most to lose.

the more they refuse to acknowledge the limit of their own ability or experience, the more tense and defensive they become. and instinctively, they can sense the imminence of an encounter with harsh reality.

as for those of us who meet reality on a daily basis, there's much less to be afraid of...

my pride is a dispensable commodity.
my intelligence is not.